Statistics & Probability

Values of Random
Variables and
Probability Distributions for
Discrete Random Variables
1. In how many ways can a coin fall?
2. In how many ways can a die fall?
3. In how many ways can two coins fall?
Experiment – is any activity which can be
done repeatedly under similar conditions.

Sample Space – the set of all possible

outcomes of an experiment

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KNOW MY SAMPLE SPACE

Complete the table by identifying the

sample space of the given event.

EVENT SAMPLE SPACE

2 coins are
tossed
3 coins are
tossed
4 coins are
tossed
 Rubrics:
Accuracy of the answer - 15
Organization (while doing the activity) - 5
Total 20
 Guide Questions:
How many outcomes are there in tossing
2 coins? 3 coins? 4 coins?

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 Activity 1
Suppose three cell phones are tested at random. We
want to find out the number of defective cell phones that
occur. Thus, to each outcome in the sample space we
shall assign a value. These are 0, 1, 2, or 3. If there is
no defective cell phone, we assign the number 0; if there
is 1 defective cell phone, we assign the number 1; if
there are 2 defective cell phones, we assign the number
2; and 3, if there are three defective cell phones. The
number of defective cell phones is a random variable.
The possible values of this random variable are 0,1,2,
and 3. 7
 Value of the Random Variable X
Possible Outcomes (number of defective cell phones)

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 Exercise 1
Suppose three coins are tossed. Let Y be the
random variable representing the number of
tails that occur. Find the values of the random
variable Y. Complete the table below.
Possible Outcomes Value of the Random Variable Y
(number of tails)

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Exercise 2

Two balls are drawn in succession

without replacement from an urn
containing 5 red balls and 6 blue balls.
Let Z be the random variable
representing the number of blue balls.
Find the values of the random variable Z.

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Probability Distributions for
Discrete Random Variables
 Finding Probability

1. What is the probability of getting a tail in

flipping a coin?
2. What is the probability of getting a heart in a
single draw from a deck of card?
3. What is the probability of getting an even
number in rolling a die?
4. What is the probability of getting a face card in
a single draw from a deck of card?
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Activity 2

Suppose three coins are tossed. Let Y be

the random variable representing the
number of tails that occur. Find the
probability of each of the values of the
random variable Y.

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Possible Outcomes Value of the Random Variable Y
(number of Tails)

Probability Distribution of Discrete Random Variable Y

Number of Tails Y Probability P(Y)

0
1
2
3 14
Exercise 3

Two balls are drawn in succession

without replacement from an urn
containing 5 red balls and 6 blue balls.
Let Z be the random variable
representing the number of blue balls.
Construct the probability distribution of
the random variable Z.

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Possible Outcomes Value of the Random Variable Z
(number of blue balls)

Probability Distribution of Discrete Random Variable Z

Number of Tails Y Probability P(Z)

0
1
2
3 16
Exercise 4

Suppose three cell phones are tested at

random. Let D represent the defective
cell phone and let N represent the non-
defective cell phone. If we let X be the
random variable for the number of
defective cell phones, construct the
probability distribution of the random
variable X.
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 What do you notice about the
probability of each value of the random
variable?
 What is the sum of the probabilities of
all values of the random variable?

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Probability Distributions for
Discrete Random Variables

 A discrete probability distribution or a

probability mass function consists of the
values a random variable can assume and
the corresponding probabilities of the
values

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 Probability Distributions for
Discrete Random Variables

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Determine whether the distribution
represents a probability distribution.
Explain your answer.

McClave, Statistics, 11th ed. Chapter 4: 21

Discrete Random Variables
Construct the probability distribution for the random
variables described in each of the following situations.
Draw the corresponding histogram for each probability
distribution

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References

Belecina, et. al., RBS Statistics and

Probability, First Edition
McClave, Statistics, 11th ed.

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Computing the Mean of a Discrete
Probability Distribution
Given the values of the
variables X and Y, evaluate
the following summations.

 

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The following are the scores of 40 students
in a test. Compute the mean score.

Score Number of Students

42 8

50 12

53 9

38 7

46 4

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 Steps in Finding the Mean of a Probability
Distribution

 Step 1: Construct the probability distribution

for the random variable X
 Step 2: Multiply the value of the random
variable X by the corresponding probability.
 Step 3: Add the results obtained in step 2.

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 Formula for the Mean of the
Probability Distribution

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

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The probabilities that a surgeon operates on
3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 patients in any day are 0.15,
0.10, 0.20, 0.25, and 0.30, respectively.
Find the average number of patients that a
surgeon operates on a day.

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Computing the Variance and
Standard Deviation of a Discrete
Probability Distribution
 The number of cars sold per day at a
local car dealership, along with its
corresponding probabilities, is shown
in the succeeding table. Compute the
variance and the standard deviation of
the probability distribution by following
the given steps.

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Number of Cars Sold Probability
X P(X)
0

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Steps in Finding the Variance
and Standard Deviation
1. Find the mean of the probability
distribution.
2. Subtract the mean from each value of
the random variable X.
3. Square the results obtained in Step 2.
4. Multiply the results obtained in Step 3
by the corresponding probability
5. Get the sum of the results obtained in
Step 4.
 Formula for the Variance and
Standard Deviation of a Discrete
Probability Distribution

When three coins are tossed, the probability
distribution for the random variable X
representing the number of heads that
occur is given below. Compute the variance
and standard deviation of the probability
distribution.
Number of Heads X Probability P(X)
0

3
Seatwork/Quiz

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1. The number of items sold per day at a
retail store, with its corresponding
probabilities, is shown in the table. Find the
variance and the standard deviation of the
probability distribution.
Number of Items Sold X Probability P(X)
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2. Four coins are tossed. Let Z be the
random variable representing the number
of tails that occur. Construct a discrete
probability distribution and calculate the
mean, variance and standard deviation.